Clarence took another few steps into the clearing, his power pervading the area as his hand shot out to viciously seize the Elf’s neck, his voice belying his body language as he spoke. “Skotall, so nice to finally meet you face to face. How are you? Fine, I hope? Oh, sorry, that was a rhetorical question, my dear man, I’m not expecting a reply. In fact, I don’t want to hear a word uttered from your rather disgusting mouth. I’ve not yet decided whether I’ll allow you to live so don’t struggle and whatever you do . . . don’t try and worm your way out of this debacle.”

Victor glared at him, his anger still thrumming through every cell in his body. “Clarence, I’ve got this covered.”

“Sorry, Victor, but I’ve been after this fellow for some time and I’ll take it from here. This is Directive business now,” Clarence replied firmly. “You and your men can leave and I’ll forget that you made a spectacle of yourself in front of New York’s media . . . yes, there were quite a few that caught your dash through the park. Never mind the mess that you’ve left there.”

Clarence nodded to the Wolf’s corpse but Victor didn’t give a shit what he said. “I’m going nowhere until I get what I came for.”

The other Wolf was trying to slink away but Flint gave it a swift kick in warning. “Stay put or you’ll suffer the same as your friend.”

“Yes, Wolf, do as you’re told,” Clarence scowled at the Shifter. “Unless you wish to join your dead friend.”

The Shifter slunk to the ground whining at which Clarence shook his head. “Where is the dang beast’s clothes? I can’t remove it from here like that.”

Flint looked around, spying a mound of clothes near where they’d broken through into the clearing and went to retrieve them. “Here.” He threw the lot at the beast. “Change and get dressed.”

Clarence’s attention turned back to Victor, his brow puckering. “What did you mean? What did you run like a maniac through Central Park for? And why are you here?”

He turned, his eyes seeking his Bloodmate, his body reacting to her as soon as he saw her. His darkness calming somewhat now that Clarence had the Elf in his grip and Flint had his eyes on the Shifter. Her eyes were still down, focused on the bird in her hands . . . was she in shock? His heart ached with worry for her, pain lancing through it at the thought of her hurting in any way.

“I’m here for her,” he barely managed to get out, now that his eyes were on her everything else was non-existent and he didn’t want to waste time with words, or Clarence bloody Collins.

“What? No, you’re not taking her anywhere, Victor! She’s a Dragon and she’s been hunted enough. I’ll take her into my care and provide her with the safety of the Directive.” Clarence lost his usual calm demeanor, as he shouted at Victor.

He spun around, eyes glaring red, his fangs already descended as he prepared to fight to the death for her. “You stay away from her. She’s mine! Do you hear me? She is mine!”

Flint rushed between them, his hands up either side of him as his head swiveled right and left. “Hold up you two. Clarence, you have no fucking idea what’s going on here. You really don’t, so just back the hell up.”

“I’m telling you, you young whippersnapper, that I’m an Enforcer for the Directive and she’s a young Dragon that needs our protection,” Clarence growled. “So, pray tell, what trumps that?”

Victor strode forward, his chest pushing against Flint’s hand roughly, his face twisting with every damn emotion that was coursing through his body as he snarled back at Clarence. “I’ll tell you! She’s my Bloodmate! She’s mine . . . my one, my only true love, and you are not taking her anywhere. I’ll kill you and anyone else who tries to take her from me or harm one hair on her head. I’ll destroy the whole damn city—the entire fucking world—to keep her safe!”

Clarence’s face was a picture of shock as he reeled back a step, his hand still locked around Skotall’s neck. “She’s what?”

“You heard me! She’s my Bloodmate. I’ve been searching for her and now I’ve found her and nobody, and I mean nobody is taking her from me. You can go fuck yourself, Clarence. I’m taking her home with me and I assure you, she’ll be safe with me. I’ll have an army looking after her. She’ll never need to fear for her safety again. You can deal with these cocksuckers and then you can come and check on her in a few days . . . if you must. But I’m warning you, do not try and stop me because you won’t like the outcome.”

“I can’t believe I’m hearing this.” Clarence stepped back, his hold on Skotall still firm and his eyes flitting between Victor and his mate. “She’s your Bloodmate?”

“Yes,” Victor snarled back. “I’m not lying to you and I’m not leaving here without her in my arms. I’ll keep her safe. That’s a solemn promise. One I will never break and I will never, not fucking ever allow anyone to harm her. Flint will be adding to my already large security detail to ensure her safety . . . I wasn’t aware she was a Dragon, Clarence. Not until now. It doesn’t change the facts though. She is my Bloodmate . . . she is mine. Nothing and nobody will take her from me, and that includes you or the damn Directive. So get the hell out of my way so I can take her away from this carnage and get her somewhere safe. I have to warn you . . . my patience has reached its limit and I’m done talking.”

Clarence held his free hand up in a calming motion. “I won’t stand in your way. I’ve dealt with these situations before, Victor. Well, if I’m being totally honest they are rare and I’ve only had first-hand experience twice, but I do have to report this because you are now one of a very elite group of Vampires. We will wish to interview you both but that can wait until you’ve gotten to know one another. I’ll check in on you in a few days and ensure that steps have been taken for her safety but then I’m sure that Magno will be in touch himself.”

“Fine.” Victor turned away, no longer interested in him now he knew he wasn’t a threat. “Flint, give him your number.”

His eyes landed on her, his body aching to hold her but terrified he’d scare her after what she’d just gone through. He could feel everyone present watching them as he stepped toward her. She still held the broken and bloodied dove in her hands and he wasn’t sure if she’d heard a word that had been said. His breath caught in his throat, unsure what to say as his heart thudded wildly in his chest. He tried to form some words that would calm her and tell her that he was no threat but at that moment she lifted her head, her long dark tresses falling from her face.

Victor gasped as emerald eyes latched onto his, opening wide with surprise as she whispered from luscious plump lips, “It’s you.”

He couldn’t quite understand but it was the same young woman from his erotic vision in his pool. The one that had taken him inside her mouth and given him the most mind-blowing orgasm of his life . . . but how? How could that be?

Her hands opened, dropping the bird as she reached up with one toward him, her eyes imploring him. “You’re the one . . . aren’t you?”

“Yes,” he groaned, moving with lightning speed to scoop her up into his arms, cradling her against his chest. “I’m Victor Strong, and you’re my Bloodmate. You and I . . . well, it’s difficult to explain, but we’re fated mates and I’ve been searching for you. I’m sorry I didn’t reach you sooner. I’m sorry they hurt you. I’m so sorry . . . please, forgive me.”

Her hand reached up, running a finger down the side of his face, which set off all sorts of explosions deep inside him as she tilted her head. “I’ve been dreaming about you. I’m Kimber and you arrived just in time, you’ve nothing to apologize for.”

Flint coughed, interrupting them. “Sorry, boss, but we need to go.”

“What?” Victor shook his head, looking around and coming back to the present. “Right, sure. Give me your coat. We need to cover her up so she’s not splashed across the news.”

Kimber frowned, confused. “News? What are you talking about?”

“I’m rich and well known,” he advised. “I’ve already made a spectacle of myself running like a madman through the park with my security detail. They’re out there,” he nodded, “keeping prying eyes away, but I’m sure there’s going to be more than a few with cameras and I don’t want them taking pictures of you. So, we’ll cover you up and get you back to my place as quickly as possible. Okay?”

“I guess,” she replied worriedly, her eyes darting around.

“Don’t worry. I promise you’ll be safe. My men will be with us the entire way and once we get to the building where I live you’ll have nothing to worry about as I own the whole place.” Victor held her closer, tighter, hoping his strength would give her some comfort. “I’m very powerful, Kimber. You’ll be protected in my care at all times.”

She gave a curt nod. “I can feel your power and I’m not exactly a weakling myself but I couldn’t do much here, well, not in front of humans anyway. They only caught me because they threatened those kids. He said if I didn’t come quietly that he’d set the Wolves on them and I couldn’t allow that to happen.”

“What?”

Both Victor and Clarence snarled out at the same time as he spun to glare toward the Elf. Clarence was tightening his hold on Skotall’s throat, shaking him as he growled into his face. “I was going to kill you myself but now I’ve decided you deserve everything the Directive throws at you. A lifetime in one of the worst prisons is much better punishment than a quick end and I’ll come and visit you from time to time, just so I can see how much pain and suffering you’re enduring.”

“Make sure he does suffer,” Victor ground out roughly. “Because if you don’t I’ll gladly take over and ensure he does.”

Clarence looked over his shoulder, his face cold and hard, absolutely no sign of the suave and sophisticated man he normally projected. “Have no fear, Victor, I’ll make sure he goes to the pits of hell for what he’s done.”

Flint handed over his coat before turning to Clarence. “Do you need a hand with these two?”

“No. Thank you for the offer but I’m capable of dealing with them and I’ve got back-up on speed-dial.” Clarence retrieved his phone. “However, if you’d be so kind as to leave a man or two and ensure nobody comes in here until help arrives I’d appreciate that.”

“Sure, no problem,” Flint replied. “I’ll leave two of my men.”

Victor wrapped the coat tightly over Kimber. “Hold it firmly so they can’t catch any shots of you, Kimber. Once you’re ready I’ll be moving quickly and we won’t stop until we’re safely inside.”

“Okay.” She gave him a tight smile, taking hold of the material and covering her face.

As she disappeared from view, he felt the loss immediately. His stomach lurching and his heart aching with the need to see her again. “Shit!” he cursed, lowering his head to be near her.

Her soft tone muffled through the coat she cuddled into his body. “Take me home.”

So he did just that. “Flint, let’s go.”

“Go safely, Victor. I wish you both well,” Clarence said as he took off, his feet slow to start as they pushed their way through the bushes and trees, but once they were clear and back into the park he sped up, his feet flying back through Central Park at a dead run with the most precious cargo of his life in his arms.